🏏India tour of Australia, 2025: Australia vs India, 3rd ODI, Sydney🏏

🏏India tour of Australia, 2025: Australia vs India, 3rd ODI at Sydney on 25/10/2025 at 9:00 AM IST🏏

As late at 6 pm on Friday night, there were still Indian fans loitering outside the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) hoping to catch a sight of their favourite players. They weren't prepared to budge either, despite the insistence of the security staff that there was to be no practice session. And there was to be no glimpse of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma or any of the other Indian superstars on the eve of the third ODI.

To the fans' credit, it is rare for a visiting team to not get enough time to slot a nets session before an ODI. In any era for that matter. But that's just a sign of the packed schedule for India on this nearly three-week long tour of Australia. In a way, it's less of an issue now that the series has already been sealed. But you do wonder how this rapid transition from Adelaide to Sydney would have played out if indeed the series was locked at 1-1 with all to play for at the SCG on Saturday.

With that not the case, there's not much to play for really with this match except for pride and also the understandable focus there will be on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. As has been the case throughout the last week or so. With extra focus on Kohli as he plays his final international match on Australian soil in all likelihood. A fact now further established by his reactions after he was dismissed for a second consecutive zero in Adelaide.

Because it's India, there's still a bit of a buzz even for this dead rubber, with the only incentive really for Australia who are looking for their first-ever clean-sweep against the Indians in an ODI series.

In the spotlight: Matt Renshaw and Shubman Gill

Having waited nine years into his international career to play ODIs, Renshaw has fitted in seamlessly after finishing the job in Perth with an unbeaten 21 off 24 followed by a run a ball 30 in Adelaide. He has publicly spoken about shutting out the external noise and exuded composure after coming to the crease in Adelaide with Australia wobbling at 54 for 2. Renshaw helped change the momentum with a brisk 55-run partnership with Matt Short, but would have been annoyed to not make a big score after being knocked over by a looping delivery from left-arm spinner Axar Patel having attempted to launch over mid-off. Renshaw is set to get another chance in Sydney as competition hots up in this transitioning batting-order. There is also the Ashes hovering, with Renshaw considered an outside chance of being in the selection mix.

There has been a lot of attention on the returns of Kohli and Rohit, which has somewhat deflected the slow start to Gill's ODI captaincy. Gill has been unable to set the tone like he spectacularly did in Test cricket. He has made just 10 and 9 although hasn't been helped by Rohit holding up an end early in the innings, putting pressure on Gill to counterattack. He will face some heat early in his captaincy reign if India succumb to just a sixth ODI series whitewash in their proud history, underlining the importance of this game.

Team News

Australia

There's every chance that the Australians ring in a few changes to their playing XI. Though the expectation would be for either Mitch Starc or Josh Hazlewood, if not both, to be rested, there might be some logic in them playing two ODIs in the space of three days as part of their conditioning for the Ashes Test summer, which is around the corner. With Jack Edwards having been brought into the squad and the game to be played in his backyard, it's quite possible the youngster gets his first break in international cricket.

Probable XI: Travis Head, Mitch Marsh (c), Matt Short, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Mitch Owen, Mitchell Starc/Jack Edwards, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

India

India are unlikely to be able to stick to the same playing XI across all three ODIs, especially after the rate at which their fast bowlers were going down with cramps in Adelaide. Prasidh Krishna is in line for a recall, while the enigmatic Kuldeep Yadav continues to wait his chance with Dhruv Jurel also in with a running to get a look-in, more as a specialist batter.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy/Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar/Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana/Prasidh Krishna, Mohammad Siraj, Arshdeep Singh

When: October 25, 14:30 hrs Local Time, 14:30 hrs AEDT, 09:00 hrs IST

Where: SCG, Sydney

What to expect: It promises to be a lovely spring afternoon in Sydney with temperatures still in the lower 20s. Expect to see most of the players in their jumpers, even during the day. The pitch at the SCG should somewhat play similar to what we got in Adelaide, which should mean that there will be runs on offer for both batting units.

Pitch and conditions

Clear and pleasant conditions are expected in Sydney on Saturday. While turn has not been as notable at the SCG in recent times compared to previous decades, spinners have still played a vital role on flat surfaces. Australia's batters have feasted in the conditions, piling on huge scores during their current six-game winning streak in ODIs at the ground.

IND vs AUS pitch report

Sydney has been a wicket that is traditionally conducive to batting. However, it is still early season in the Australian domestic calendar, hence there might be a bit of help for bowlers. The wicket at Sydney does help the seamers who bend their backs, and spinners do get a bit of purchase if they impart enough revs on the ball.

IND vs AUS weather report

According to Accuweather app the temperature for Saturday remains pleasant for cricket in Sydney. The maximum temperature is 25 degrees and the minimum temperature is 17 degrees. Both sides will be tempted to chase after the results in the first two games, as the pitch will get better under the lights to bat on.

AUS vs IND — Head-to-Head Records in ODIs

Matches Played 154

Won by Australia 86

Won by India 58

No Result 10

Tied 00

First-ever Fixture December 06, 1980 (IND Won)

Most-recent Fixture October 23, 2025 (AUS Won)

AUS vs IND — Probable Best Performers of the Match

Probable Best Batter — Shubman Gill

Indian captain Shubman Gill could be the key batter for the visitors in this clash. Although he has not been among the runs so far in the ODI series, Gill will be eager to return to form with a solid knock. Known for his ability to build long innings and dominate opposition attacks, the Indian skipper will look to lead from the front and anchor India’s batting effort against the Australian bowlers.

Probable Best Bowler — Adam Zampa

Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa could prove to be the key bowler in this encounter. He was highly impressive in the second ODI in Adelaide, where he claimed a four-wicket haul. Zampa will be looking to deliver another impactful performance, using his variations to outsmart the Indian batters and help Australia secure a clean sweep in the series.

Originally posted by: Savera84

AUS vs IND — Probable Best Performers of the Match

Probable Best Batter — Shubman Gill

Indian captain Shubman Gill could be the key batter for the visitors in this clash. Although he has not been among the runs so far in the ODI series, Gill will be eager to return to form with a solid knock. Known for his ability to build long innings and dominate opposition attacks, the Indian skipper will look to lead from the front and anchor India’s batting effort against the Australian bowlers.

Meanwhile Shubman gill

Originally posted by: Swathi_7

Meanwhile Shubman gill

In the last match it was Virat.

Cheers..